Anders (ALS-1051) features a square silhouette in Renew Acetate, with hexagon pin detailing and bold temple bolts, inspired by the clothing rails of past AllSaints stores. A brushed silver flex hinge extends into the temples, combining functional hardware with architectural design. Available in Camo Tort, Gloss Black, and Milky Olive Horn.
Established in 1961, WestGroupe is family operated with over 60 years of industry insight. Our mission has always been to provide unique and superior quality eyewear for the fashion-focused consumer. We are driven by our customer commitment to excellent service and exceptional product. WestGroupe is dedicated to defining future standards in the optical business by developing, creating, and supporting innovative products and services that allows our customers to succeed. WestGroupe offers a premium selection of globally recognized proprietary eyewear brands including KLiiK denmark, FYSH, EVATIK, Superflex® and OTP.
Want to see more like this article? Click here to subscribe to our FREE print magazines and e- newsletters!
East Optical partners with the Opticians Association of Canada for the upcoming December webcast titled “Modern Myopia Management for Eye Care Professionals, practical clinic workflows and the MyoPro® solution.” The event will take place December 9, 2025, at 6:00 PM CST.
This two-hour education session has been accredited for:
1 EG credit in Ontario
1 Domaine Professionnel in Quebec
NACOR accreditation pending (anticipated as 1 EG with competencies 1.7.1, 1.7.3, 3.7.5, 3.7.6, 3.11.4)
About the Webcast
This high value training will provide opticians and eye care professionals with practical insights to better understand and implement modern myopia management. The session will cover:
A clinical overview of myopia and its long-term risks
Practical workflows to integrate myopia management into daily practice
How to communicate effectively with parents
An introduction to the MyoPro® solution for managing childhood myopia
Featured Speaker: Dr. Griffin Christenson, OD
Dr. Griffin Christenson grew up in Hudson, Wisconsin, and has always been passionate about serving his community. His desire to help people overcome vision challenges inspired him to pursue a career in optometry. Today, Dr. Christenson is known for his warm, engaging approach and his strong commitment to patient care.
One of the highlights of his daily routine is interacting with patients and collaborating with his practice team. Outside the clinic, he enjoys outings with his wife, spending time with their dog, Lambeau, and their cat, Oliver. While he once enjoyed playing football, he now proudly watches from the sidelines.
Dr. Christenson also recently completed his Master of Science in Computer Science from the Georgia Institute of Technology, bringing a unique blend of clinical insight and technological expertise to the conversation on innovative myopia solutions.
The ZEISS Light 2 branded progressive and digital lenses are the latest addition to the ZEISS Progressive lens portfolio along with ZEISS SmartLife lenses. These new lenses are easy to adapt to, making them ideal for people who have just started to experience vision problems at close range, as well as for more experienced spectacle wearers who are accustomed to standard lenses. The ZEISS Light 2 portfolio provides eye care professionals with upselling opportunities as well as new strategies for acquiring and retaining customers in times of economic uncertainty.
New additions to portfolio against the backdrop of demographic changes, digitalization and economic uncertainty
Fast adaptation thanks to moderate-soft design
ZEISS EasyFocus technology for less blur in the periphery
New additions to ZEISS Progressive lens portfolio along with SmartLife lenses: Straightforward marketing and upselling opportunities
New additions to portfolio against the backdrop of demographic changes, digitalization and economic uncertainty
The world’s population is aging rapidly, presenting new opportunities for the ophthalmic industry. By 2050, the proportion of individuals aged 60 and older is expected to rise from 13% today to 21.5% (or 2.1 billion). The average age in Europe and North America will reach 42.5 years and 38.8 years, respectively.1 This demographic shift, coupled with increasing digital device usage, is driving demand for progressive and digital lenses tailored to evolving vision needs. The addition of ZEISS Light 2 lenses to ZEISS SmartLife portfolio will enable eye care professionals to target a wider range of customers, including price-sensitive individuals, by offering branded lenses optimized for their vision requirements.
ZEISS Light 2 progressive lenses are tailored for wearers recently diagnosed with presbyopia including first-time glasses users or those transitioning from single vision lenses – as well as experienced wearers of standard progressive lenses. The lenses feature a moderate-soft design that ensures a soft increase of blur across peripheral areas. This facilitates a comfortable transition between various viewing zones. It also allows wearers to adapt quickly and see clearly at all ranges. 68% of ZEISS Light 2 users said that they adapted to their new lenses in just a few hours. 94% found it easy to switch from their previous lens solution, while 96% agreed that with ZEISS Light 2 lenses their vision feels natural.2
Digital lenses are particularly useful for people between 30 and 40 years who experience tired eyes or blurred near vision at the end of the day. ZEISS Digital Light 2 lenses are specially designed for first-time glasses wearers or those not used to having different viewing zones in their lens.
The moderate-soft design combines the advantages of hard and soft designs, and therefore enables wide and clear distance zones, enlarged near zones, low peripheral distortion and easy access to the near zone.
ZEISS EasyFocus technology for less blur in the periphery
Made with ZEISS EasyFocus technology, ZEISS Light 2 considers the natural vertical movement of both eyes from distance to near, which targets at easy focusing, a smooth transition and comfortable access to the wide reading zone. The optical power profile of these lenses optimally matches the inclination of the eye, the distance of objects and the different zones. Calculations show that the ZEISS Light 2 lenses offer up to 69% larger binocular vision zones than ZEISS standard progressive lenses.3
The cutting-edge technology used in ZEISS Light 2 lenses also makes it easier for wearers to switch to ZEISS SmartLife lenses at a later date.
New additions to ZEISS Progressive lens portfolio along with SmartLife lenses: Straightforward marketing and upselling opportunities
Offering existing customers different solutions and effective customer retention strategies is crucial, especially in economically challenging times. The The new ZEISS Light 2 lenses will enable eye care professionals to offer branded lenses in the mid-price segment to consumers with varying disposable incomes, or to “upsell” solutions that are of a higher standard. They will also create opportunities for acquiring new customers who are attracted to the medium-soft lens design.
These new high levels of customer satisfaction as well as straightforward fitting and consultation for eye care professionals. 92% of wearers are happy with the value for money their ZEISS Light 2 lenses offer.4 In a nutshell, the ZEISS Light 2 lenses will encourage new and existing customers to use branded progressive or digital lenses, while paving the way for a seamless transition to the ZEISS SmartLife portfolio as their vision needs evolve.
Advantages of ZEISS Light 2 at a glance:
One lens for all everyday scenarios in the mid-price segment
Clear vision at all distances
Fast adaption
Easy reading on digital devices
Comfortable: thin and lightweight branded lenses
SmartLife is a registered trademark of Carl Zeiss Vision GmbH.
3 Calculation & Analysis by Technology & Innovation, Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH, DE 2023. ZEISS Progressive & Digital Light 2 3Dve lenses compared to synchrony Ultra HD, synchrony Easy HD, ZEISS Progressive GT2 semi-finished and ZEISS Progressive Choice lenses, (unpublished, data on file)
EssilorLuxottica announced the creation of its Scientific Advisory Committee, bringing together some of the world’s most sought-after scientists and thought leaders from the converging fields of science, technology and healthcare. This initiative will reinforce the Group’s enduring scientific foundation and its mission to empower patients and consumers around the world.
The Scientific Advisory Committee will provide strategic guidance and forward-looking insights, helping to maximize EssilorLuxottica’s lead agenda. Acting as a catalyst for transformative thinking, the Advisory Committee will collaborate with a global network of leading scientific institutions and advise on new frontiers in the Group’s core areas of research, like ophthalmology and oculomics, physics and optics, audiology, AI and ethics.
The Scientific Advisory Committee unites five world-renowned experts, each recognized for their pioneering contributions and leadership in their respective domains:
Pr. Alain Aspect, PhD, 2022 Nobel laureate in Physics and 2010 Wolf Prize. Professor at Institut d’Optique Graduate School – Université Paris Saclay and École Polytechnique; Emeritus CNRS Senior Scientist.
Pr. Alessio Figalli, PhD, 2018 Fields medal laureate. Chaired Professor and Director of the Institute for Mathematics Research at ETH Zürich.
Pr. Sharon Kujawa, PhD, 2017 Callier prize winner. Professor of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Harvard Medical School; Principal Investigator at the Eaton-Peabody Laboratories, Mass Eye and Ear.
Pr. José-Alain Sahel, MD, 2024 Wolf prize winner. Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Emeritus at Sorbonne Université.
Pr. Effy Vayena, PhD. Professor of Bioethics at ETH Zürich; Visiting Lecturer at the Center for Bioethics, Harvard Medical School.
“Building on EssilorLuxottica’s decades of pioneering research and technological breakthroughs, the creation of our first Scientific Advisory Committee marks a defining step in our innovation journey. Engaging with some of the most brilliant minds in science allows us to broaden our horizons, explore uncharted territories and translate knowledge into meaningful human impact. Their expert insights will guide our initiatives to advance ophthalmology, audiology, AI, neuroscience and beyond – amplifying the reach of our solutions across the life sciences. Together we’ll continue to shape the future of our industry, driving transformative progress and reaffirming our commitment to lead with purpose”, said Francesco Milleri, Chairman and CEO, and Paul du Saillant, Deputy CEO, of EssilorLuxottica.
MIDO has released the official exhibitor list for its 2026 edition, taking place January 31 to February 2, 2026, at Fieramilano Rho. The 54th edition of the world’s largest international eyewear trade show is preparing for another strong year, with around 1,200 exhibitors from 50 countries expected, including 140 new entries, as well as visitorsfrom more than 160 nations.
Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images for Mido
Expanded Areas and New Installations
Several key sections of the fair will feature new layouts and thematic programming:
Fashion Square (Hall 1) will be completely redesigned.
Hall 4 will feature an installation dedicated to DaTE, the independent eyewear show held in Naples.
Hall 6 will host the premiere of the updated exhibition “The Lens of Time.”
The Design areas in Halls 2 and 4 return as creative hubs for experimentation, welcoming a growing number of exhibitors—including brands transitioning from the Academy section. The Academy in Hall 6 will continue to support emerging labels, hosting more than 90 young companies. About 20 new businesses will participate in the Start Up section, presenting innovative projects and forward-looking solutions.
“The Lens of Time” Exhibition
After its debut in Venice, the ANFAO-curated exhibition tracing the evolution of eyewear—from its origins to contemporary design—will be showcased at MIDO with a new layout designed for an international audience. The exhibit highlights the cultural and artisanal heritage of eyewear. Following its Milan run, it will travel to Rome in autumn 2026, with plans for future international stops.
The Vision Stage: Training and Industry Insights
MIDO’s program will feature approximately 20 sessions led by journalists, sustainability experts, athletes, market analysts, and medical and optical professionals. Key topics will include market trends, consumer behaviour, social responsibility, and developments in the U.S. optical market. The full program will be published in January.
MIDO Awards: Applications Now Open
MIDO invites opticians, retailers, and manufacturers to apply for its three industry awards:
Best Store Award (Design and Innovation categories) — applications open until December 31
CSE Award – Certified Sustainable Eyewear — for products demonstrating sustainable materials and reduced environmental impact
CSE Corporate Award — honouring the exhibitor with the strongest ESG performance
Applications for the CSE awards are open until December 14, 2025, with all details available under the “Awards” section at mido.com. Winners will be announced during MIDO 2026.
Planning Your Stay in Milan
With the show taking place just ahead of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the city is expected to be especially busy. MIDO has introduced several tools to simplify travel planning:
An online booking system developed with MiCodmc
Bookable free train services for Italian opticians (available starting January)
City maps highlighting culture, dining, and shopping
An exclusive 10% discount on the YesMilano City Pass for all MIDO pass holders
Press Conference
The official MIDO 2026 press conference will be held Wednesday, January 28 at 11:30 a.m., at the Feltrinelli Foundation in Milan.
Vision Expo 2026 will debut a redesigned education experience in Orlando, offering more than 220 hours of accredited continuing education across optometry, opticianry, and eye care business topics.
CooperVision Canada has announced a new partnership with elite sprint canoe athlete Nikita Ciudin, supporting his journey toward representing Team Canada on the world stage while raising awareness about myopia management and youth eye health.
EssilorLuxottica and Burberry have announced the renewal of their global eyewear licensing agreement through 2035, extending a long-standing partnership defined by creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation.
Safilo Group and Pierre Cardin have renewed their global eyewear licensing agreement through 2031, continuing a partnership that spans more than three decades in the eyewear industry.
LensCrafters is continuing its Dedicated to Everyday Excellence campaign into 2026, featuring independent optometrist Dr. Anisha Haji and highlighting leadership, patient care, and innovation in optometry.
Vision Expo 2026 will debut a redesigned education experience in Orlando, offering more than 220 hours of accredited continuing education across optometry, opticianry, and eye care business topics.
CooperVision Canada has announced a new partnership with elite sprint canoe athlete Nikita Ciudin, supporting his journey toward representing Team Canada on the world stage while raising awareness about myopia management and youth eye health.
EssilorLuxottica and Burberry have announced the renewal of their global eyewear licensing agreement through 2035, extending a long-standing partnership defined by creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation.
Safilo Group and Pierre Cardin have renewed their global eyewear licensing agreement through 2031, continuing a partnership that spans more than three decades in the eyewear industry.
LensCrafters is continuing its Dedicated to Everyday Excellence campaign into 2026, featuring independent optometrist Dr. Anisha Haji and highlighting leadership, patient care, and innovation in optometry.
Vision Expo 2026 will debut a redesigned education experience in Orlando, offering more than 220 hours of accredited continuing education across optometry, opticianry, and eye care business topics.
CooperVision Canada has announced a new partnership with elite sprint canoe athlete Nikita Ciudin, supporting his journey toward representing Team Canada on the world stage while raising awareness about myopia management and youth eye health.
EssilorLuxottica and Burberry have announced the renewal of their global eyewear licensing agreement through 2035, extending a long-standing partnership defined by creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation.
Safilo Group and Pierre Cardin have renewed their global eyewear licensing agreement through 2031, continuing a partnership that spans more than three decades in the eyewear industry.
LensCrafters is continuing its Dedicated to Everyday Excellence campaign into 2026, featuring independent optometrist Dr. Anisha Haji and highlighting leadership, patient care, and innovation in optometry.
Vision Expo 2026 will debut a redesigned education experience in Orlando, offering more than 220 hours of accredited continuing education across optometry, opticianry, and eye care business topics.
CooperVision Canada has announced a new partnership with elite sprint canoe athlete Nikita Ciudin, supporting his journey toward representing Team Canada on the world stage while raising awareness about myopia management and youth eye health.
EssilorLuxottica and Burberry have announced the renewal of their global eyewear licensing agreement through 2035, extending a long-standing partnership defined by creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation.
Safilo Group and Pierre Cardin have renewed their global eyewear licensing agreement through 2031, continuing a partnership that spans more than three decades in the eyewear industry.
LensCrafters is continuing its Dedicated to Everyday Excellence campaign into 2026, featuring independent optometrist Dr. Anisha Haji and highlighting leadership, patient care, and innovation in optometry.
